Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Christine Laballee of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, is all smiles after being lowered into a sail boat before participating in the Para World Sailing Championships, Tuesday, September 18, 2018, in Sheboygan, Wis. Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Christine Laballee of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, observes as her support crew organizes her boat's rigging before her competition in the Para World Sailing Championships, Tuesday, September 18, 2018, in Sheboygan, Wis. Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

SHEBOYGAN - Athletes from Thailand, South Africa, Samoa, Canada and other countries from all over the world came to compete this weekend in the Para World Sailing Competition.

While athletes and teams raced in the lake all week, many also got to experience Sheboygan and uniquely Wisconsin things as well.

"It’s absolutely amazing," said Krystle Shewchuck of Canada. "Everybody is so friendly. It's definitely a beautiful place and the venue is amazing as well."

Paralyzed from the waist down as a result of an accident almost 16 years ago, this is Shewchuck's fourth year sailing, and she was impressed with the level of proficiency she saw among fellow athletes.

Teams from countries like Italy and Portugal have gone out to various parts of downtown, including 8th Street Ale Haus.

"For me, it's like a movie," said Pedro Reis of Portugal. It was his first time in America, and he was fascinated by the houses and everything he had seen on television come to life.

Throughout the weekend, Blue Harbor and the surrounding areas filled with spectators who got to witness the colorful sailboats competing in the international competition.

While the countries were competing against one another, the event brought together people.

"When they are on the water, they are all together," competitor Massimo Digae of Italy said.

The event also brought a lot of eyes on Sheboygan because of the high stakes of the competition. This is the final event being judged to determine whether sailing will be a part of the 2024 Paralympic Games.

The competition saw around 40 countries represented by around 100 coaches and competitors.

Hosted by the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan, the event runs through Sunday and includes a brat fry on Friday afternoon where athletes will be present. For more information on joining the sailing community in Sheboygan, go to https://www.seasheboygan.org/.